I've been thinking about this for years. How much time we spend online, sharing our lives - personal or crafting. How much expectation we place on ourselves getting blog posts written, performing the ultimate show and tell. How much stuff we make is for ourselves, and how much is purely "for the blog".
I've been blogging a really long time. I have met some amazing people - incredible people - who have become the dearest real life friends. I couldn't hope to meet those people were it not for this blog.
But sometimes, despite the friendships and sharing and encouragement, you just don't feel like writing anymore. It seems like a chore, you don't feel like sharing, to tell one story means telling a whole other story as well and you really don't want to go there. And this is how I felt the last fortnight when I thought of how I tell you all about my quilt retreat. And it seemed silly - it felt silly telling you about it, even though it was wonderful.
I've lost my blogging puff. That's all. It's not busy-ness (although I am incredibly busy with house renovations and quilting and the presidency of the quilt guild). It's not even necessarily about privacy, although that is playing a factor. It definitely has nothing to do with comments or readers.
I'm just ... done.
So I'd like to thank all of you who have come by in the last nine years. Thank you for sharing right back, for inspiring me, for teaching me great things, and in many cases for becoming the greatest friends a girl could ever hope to know. I think I might miss this blog one day, but at the moment I find that hard to believe. I might even be back one day, but again I find that unlikely. I'm not going to stop making, stop baking or stop gardening. I will still always be a bike-riding, lap-swimming, sewing, quilting, cooking, gardening, Pyrex-loving socialist girl from Canberra via North Queensland, who looks for the positive in everything but sometime struggles to find it, and needs to make something every single day.
Michelle, I have been reading for some years. At least five and probably more. I have a couple of bags you have sewn and yarn and bag from the seasonal club, whatever the real name was.
ReplyDeleteI am not a quilter, but that doesn't stop me admiring the beautiful work I have seen displayed on blogs. That includes your work.
I wish you well as you move on.
Oh, sad :-(
ReplyDeleteI will miss your blog but I understand. I am finding it harder to find the time to blog now, although I do have things to say and show off, I just can't make the time to actually do it.
I will especially miss your quilts - your projects have been instrumental in fostering my desire to make a couple of quilts - I have bought the fabric, just haven't quite gotten the rest of the way. They'll never be as good as yours, but I am looking forward to making them. Will miss your inspiration. Thanks for giving me lots to aspire to!
Oh Michelle, that's sad, but I do get it. My blogging is almost at a standstill - it's certainly not like the old days of blogging. I've really enjoyed reading your blog. Thank you and all the best!
ReplyDeleteI will miss you. :( I just found you a few months ago and have enjoyed the time I've spent here. I do understand what it must be like to be in your shoes. I am a quilter and have weighed starting a blog for more than a year and have come to the conclusion that it is way more work and obligation than I am ready for. I also know that once I turn on the computer I don't get anything else done so my sewing would go by the wayside. I enjoy sewing too much to spend my time blogging. You go and do what you need to do and if you want to come back in the future I'm sure you will be welcomed with open arms.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you. Be safe and enjoy life!
You will be missed. But as someone who has setup a blog with good intentions and has yet to figure out what to write! I understand! Take care x
ReplyDeleteOh Michelle, how sad!! But I totally get it even though I'm trying to get a bit more into the blogging land!! I'm using it to help me get a little more organised in life and have a somewhat diary of what I've achieved. But anyways - I'll still enjoy seeing you in Instagram life, you're such an inspiration to us all in our crafty endeavours - whether they be sewing/knitting/crochet or cooking up a storm. I do hope to get to Canberra for one of your exhibitions one of these days!!
ReplyDeleteMmmm, I will have to stalk you in real life now. Have you thought this through?
ReplyDeleteI'm all teary now, you're posts always make my day! Hopefully you'll stay on Instagram a bit longer, and share you awesome stuff with me still?
ReplyDeletein while crocodile. xx
ReplyDeleteBon chance and good health..thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteI too understand. Blogging should be fun, not a chore. All the best with whatever lies ahead.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand , but you need to know that you will be missed . I have enjoyed reading you since the beginning . I have a collection of your beautiful bags and Carries yarn . I found the beauty of Oakshott fabrics through you an have loved seeing your work . Best wishes to you !
ReplyDeleteOh no..... I love your blog. Being a plus size skirt wearing gal (which seems to be a minority) I got so much inspiration from your skirts. All the best with the future. Are you leaving the blog up so we can still get inspiration, or totally deleting it?
ReplyDeleteI am sad to see your blog go, it has been a pleasure reading it. It has also been a pleasure getting to know you in real life and I look forward to more stitching sessions in the future!
ReplyDeleteBack. The. Truck. Up!
ReplyDeleteSay what?
Sometimes I feel like you and I are in psychic synch. (Or is that psychotic synch?) I completely understand (and am a little envious) of your decision.
Onwards and upwards!
I love your posts but totally get it. The sad thing for me is that I have only just started reading blogs again and your is the first I subscribed to! There is so much out there to do - enjoy the extra time you will now have lovely.
ReplyDeleteSad face :(
ReplyDeleteSad to read, seems you are one of many walking away - best of luck to you and hope to still see the odd instagram pic so I canlive vicariously through your quilting!
ReplyDeleteSorry to see you go from the blogosphere but I understand.... All the best in your creative adventures.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that I won't be able to read your blog anymore Michelle, it has been a pleasure to regularly see what you are up to. I especially enjoyed seeing the clothes that you made and how you pieced your outfits together - I always thought they were so colourful and eclectic, and I envied your sense of style!
ReplyDeleteCompletely understand your decision to stop blogging. I happily read everyone else's blogs, but don't see it as something I would ever do myself.
I wish you all the best and thank you for many years of contented reading.
Oh, sorry, that anonymous comment is from me, Tamsin.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing so much of yourself over the years. I feel like I have travelled and enjoyed scenery I would never have done, if not for following you on your blog. I have loved the photographs of the native flora you have posted and drooled over your many craft and quilting triumphs. You have been an inspiration to me and introduced me (online) to many other creative people.
ReplyDeleteLife is for living and enjoyment; I'm pleased that you have decided not to continue on with something that no longer 'fits' with you. Wishing you all the very best in your life and with your creative pursuits.
Boo..... goodluck xo
ReplyDeleteJane
ReplyDeleteBest of luck for your creative endeavours and ongoing journey! I've enjoyed your blog and especially love your sewn skirts styled with cardi's and tights.
ReplyDeleteAll the best with whatever you do, Michelle.
ReplyDeleteEven though quilting isn't my thang to do, your gorgeous quilts always put a smile on my face.
Michelle, thank you so much for your blog. I am very sad to see you go, and will miss you greatly, but know that for everything there is a time. Take care, and see you elsewhere on the interwebs!
ReplyDeleteHey how come everyone is so understanding? Bah. Because I will be poorer without your lovely stories and photos and creativity, I'll leave you in my blog reader should you ever decide that you miss us. *sniffs* You will be welcomed back - no questions asked.
ReplyDeleteOh yes sad face :( but at least we still have you virtually on instagram and maybe one day I'll see you lurking at the fabric at A2F.
ReplyDeleteOh poo. You know I only just discovered you! Oh well, I'm sure I'll see you around Instagram. See you outside of the blogoshphere.
ReplyDeleteA girl has to do what a girl has to do, but I will admit to feeling sad that your blog will be quiet from now on. Good luck, and happy crocheting and quilting :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry I am late to discover this news - and I too join the chorus that you will be missed! Take good care of yourself and your loved ones and if you ever come back this way there will be cheers!!
ReplyDelete